A GROUP of Ammanford accountants will be swapping their calculators for running shoes next month as they take on the Swansea Half Marathon.

Staff from Ashmole & Co Accountants are raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The charity is close to the company's heart after Bryan Jones, a former partner with the firm's Haverfordwest office, was diagnosed with the disease in 2017.

Bryan worked for Ashmole & Co for 37 years, his entire working life.

He started straight from school in 1974 and became a partner in 2001. He retired in 2011.

The group of nine representing Ashmole & Co will take part in the Swansea Half Marathon on June 23, which has been voted the UK’s best half marathon in 2017 and 2018 with approximately 10,000 having entered to race next month.

Taking part are: Beth Ridgway, a Partner in the Haverfordwest office; Mandy Jones (Bryan’s wife) from the Haverfordwest office and Bryan and Mandy’s friends - Victoria Randall, Alex Merrony & Rachel Treadway-Williams.

Laura Craddock and Jim Cornock, Partners in the Ammanford office; Sam Jones and Vinal Patel from the Ammanford office will also be taking part.

Jim Cornock, Partner in Ashmole & Co’s Ammanford office, said: “Most of us taking part are keen runners already and are looking forward to taking part in the Swansea Half Marathon.

“This year will be a special year for us though as it’s also an opportunity to raise funds for the MND Association, the only national charity dedicated to improve care and support for people affected by MND.

"We hope clients, friends and family will help us get to our target of £1,800.”

Bryan Jones added: “Scientists have been trying to unlock the causes of Motor Neurone Disease for decades.

"The only drug, which possibly extends life by three months, has been prescribed since 1995. At any time, there are approximately 5,000 sufferers in the UK.

"Focus and the direction of government and research funds are therefore a numbers game, hence the reason for my appeal. Should you get the opportunity to help The Motor Neurone Disease Association, financially or otherwise, no matter how great or small, I would encourage you to do so.

"I know that your help will be warmly received and will help make the world free of MND. Thank you.”

If you are able to make a donation to help Ashmole & Co reach their fundraising target visit justgiving.com/fundraising/bryan-mandy-jones